Royal Malaysian Navy PASKAL

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=Pasukan Khas Laut


caption= The PASKAL elite logo.
dates=1975 - Present
country=flagcountry|Malaysia
branch=Royal Malaysian Navy
command_structure=Malaysian Armed Forces
type=Maritime Special Operations Force
role=Maritime and Riverine special operations
size=Two squadrons
current_commander=
garrison= RMN Naval Base, Lumut, Perak,
RMN KD Semporna Naval Base, Semporna, Sabah
ceremonial_chief=
ceremonial_chief_label=
colonel_of_the_regiment= Rear Admiral Nasaruddin Othman
nickname=PASKAL
motto= Always The Best
colors=Purple Coloured (beret)
march=
identification_symbol=
identification_symbol_label=PASKAL Trimedia Badge
mascot=
battles= Spratleys Island
UNIVEM II 1998, Angola
MALCON - UNIFIL 2007, Lebanon
notable_commanders= Admiral Sutarji Kasmin
anniversaries=

:"For other possible meanings, see Pascal."PASKAL, an abbreviation for "Pasukan Khas Laut" "(Naval Special Forces)" is the elite special operations force of the Royal Malaysian Navy, which conducts unconventional warfare, guerrilla warfare, jungle warfare, direct action, counter-terrorism, close protection for VIPs, specific enemy assassination, hostage rescue, and special reconnaissance as well as foreign internal defense.

It was officially established on October 1st 1980, after a five-year setting-up period, with the purpose of enforcing Malaysia's Exclusive Economic Zone maritime claims through sea, air and land operations (similar to the United States Navy SEALs).

Organisation

The manpower details of this unit is highly classified. Believed to be a regiment with an estimated 1,000 men divided into two operations units - "PASKAL Unit Satu" (PASKAL - First Unit) based in the Lumut Naval base in Perak on Peninsular Malaysia, and "PASKAL Unit Dua" (PASKAL - 2nd Unit) which is based at KD Sri Semporna, a Malaysian Royal Navy base in Semporna, Sabah. A company-strength ("detachment") is also based at the "Teluk Sepanggar Naval Base" near Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, where the RMN's proposed Submarine Training Centre will be set up soon.

"PASKAL" organizes itself operationally into several squadrons of at least three companies (or "Platoons") each. Each company is in turn, organised roughly along the lines of the US Green Berets' structure of Alpha, Bravo and Charlie Detachments. The smallest unit for Paskal, however, is the so-called "Boat Troop" with 7 men.

Basically each squadron contains a mixture of specialists that is usually adjusted by the specifics of the mission or area it is tasked to operate within.

Each squadron normally carries a "Combat Intelligence Team" (Malay: Tim Risik Gempur, TRG), trained in maritime tactical intelligence, counter intelligence and psychological operations.

History

The history of PASKAL began in 1975, when the Royal Malaysian Navy saw a need for a security regiment trained in modern maritime warfare. Its main purpose was originally to protect naval bases and national assets all over Malaysia. At that time, the RMN main base was known as KD Malaya "(Kapal Diraja Malaya, His Majesty's Ship Malaya)", formerly known as HMS Malaya before independence, in Woodlands, Singapore (which was later transferred to the new naval base in Lumut, Perak when it was completed in 1979.

The first batch of 30 officers, led by Captain Sutarji Kasmin (now Admiral, retired), was sent to the Malaysian Army's Special Warfare Training Center "(Pusat Latihan Peperangan Khas)" located at Sg Udang Military Camp, Melaka, and were trained by Grup Gerak Khas army commandos.

They were also trained by instructors from Indonesian KOPASKA, UK Royal Marine Commandos and US Navy SEALs.

Purposes

On October 1 1980, PASKAL was officially established as the Malaysian Government began to enforce its EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) which covers 200 nautical miles off Malaysia's waters. In addition, there was a requirement to protect Malaysian offshore stations near the disputed Spratly Islands.

Roles

One of PASKAL's roles is to launch offensive operations independently via sea, land and air in enemy controlled waters. PASKAL operatives were trained to conduct maritime operations such as anti-piracy and anti-ship / oil rigs hijacking.

The security of more than thirty offshore oil rigs in Malaysian waters are solely the responsibility of PASKAL, and the unit has held regular training exercises on each of those oil rigs.

Although part of PASKAL's mission consists of securing beachheads, deep penetration reconnaissance raids, structure and underwater demolition and sabotage, their range of training and activity extends beyond.

PASKAL's repertoire also includes in-harbour underwater sabotage, ship-boarding assault, Counter-Terrorist missions (CT) and mine-clearing operations.

Special joint training with special Army units are also conducted regularly on specialised skills like HALO and HAHO overwater and overland parachute jumps.

PASKAL detachments are also stationed in on sensitive Malaysian offshore stations particularly in Layang-Layang atoll and a few detachments are also permanently staged on several RMN's ships. [" [http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/12/2/focus/19642236&sec=focus Well primed to repel attacks] The Star 2 December 2007"]

Training

As a Special Forces unit, PASKAL's personnel must be mentally and physically agile. Every new trainee is required to undergo three months of basic commando training at the Royal Malaysian Navy's (RMN) Lumut Naval Base. The criteria to join the naval Special Forces, all personnel must be younger than 30 years old and has a good health record.

Upon completing the course, they will be sent to the Special Warfare Training Centre (SWTC) in Sungai Udang, Melaka to undergo basic parachuting.

Those who pass the gruelling training process will continue on to the Advanced First Class training where they are given specialised courses in several fields such as medic, communications, explosives and electrical / mechanical repairing. They are also required to pass a physical test every three months.

Among others, the test consists of:

# 7.8km running in 24 minutes (below 24 years of age)
# 1.5km swimming in not more than 25 minutes (in a swimming pool)
# 6.4km swimming in open sea with full mission load - in under 120 minutes
# Day/Night sky diving at high elevation spots ie. hills, building and on ocean surface.
# Free style swimming for 1.5km under 31 minutes
# Surviving in water with hands and feet fully tied-up (drown-proofing)
# Diving without breathing apparatus for a minimum of 7m in depth

;Basic Recruitment Course

# Pre-Selection/Warm-Up
# Basic PASKAL commando
# Diving endurance
# Basic Sky-Diving

;Carrier Development Course

# First Class enrollment
# Underwater Combat Maneuver

# "Laskar Kanan" enrollment
# "Bintara Muda" enrollment
# Diving/Underwater Combat Superior

PASKAL routinely sends officers and men to train with the SAS/UK, NGSLO, BUD/SEAL, EOD (USA), Submarine Escape (Australia), Assault Swimmer and Australia, Clearance Diver (Australia/USA), Sniper Supervisor (Australia), Mountain Climbing (France), SASR Australia, etc.

On 26 August 1991, the National Security Council declared PASKAL as Malaysia's main counter-terrorist task force for the defence of oil rigs and oil tanker/ships and to act as one of the elements in the Quick Reactions Force (QRF), or the Pasukan Aturgerak Cepat (PAC).

Expertise/Specialist Course

;Domestic :

;Insertion Techniques
# Basic HALO/HAHO
# Freefall Instructor
# Fast-roping Techniques
# Abseiling and Air Rescue Operations
# Tactical Cliff Climbing
# Tactical Cliff Climbing Instructor

;Combat Technique
# Combat Tracking
# Pathfinding & Jungle Survival
# Unarmed Combat (Tae Kwon Do - based)
# Close Quarters Combat Tactical
# Sniper
# Sniper Instructor
# Unconventional Warfare
# Section Leader
# Platoon Sergeant
# Company Commander

;Intelligence Gathering
# Intelligence
# Intel Sergeant
# Team Intel Officer
# Photographer
# C4-I Systems Implementations
# Long Range Recon Patrol

;Task Oriented
# Combat, Search and Rescue (CSAR)
# Operation In Built-up Area - OBUA
# Combat Medic Specialist
# Diving Supervisor
# Small Vehicle Operator
# Small Surface Craft Operator
# Survival Night/Mission Test
# Combat Tracking
# Foreign Language
# Combat Medic Specialist
# Explosive Ordnance Disposal

PASKAL is strongly influenced by the tactics and organization of the British Special Boat Service (SBS). PASKAL usually trains with GGK as well as US Navy SEALs, Indonesian Navy's KOPASKA and, of course - the SBS.

Weaponry and equipment

PASKAL's weapon inventory is a confidential subject. Nevertheless, amid rumors of financing from the consortium of oil companies in addition to ample financing from the navy, PASKAL's inventory currently includes some of the most advanced and sophisticated equipment in the Armed Forces.

The voluntary contributions from the oil consortium has ensured that PASKAL has sufficient means to procure weapons and equipment that are much more modern and sophisticated in comparison to the other SOF units in the Malaysian armed forces.

Pictures taken during national day parades and from local defense magazines indicate the use of the following:
* various night-vision devices,
* lightweight PRO-TEC helmets,
* various thermal-imaging cameras,
* various ground tactical radar MASINT (Measurement and Signature Intelligence) including PSR MASINT,
* various sniper weapons Accuracy International Arctic Warfare Magnum, Robar RC-50 and Heckler & Koch MSG-90,
* various sub-machine guns FN P90, Brügger & Thomet and Heckler & Koch MP5 in all types and variants,
* various combat shotgun Remington 870 Marine Magnums, and
* various assault rifles including AK-102 "(TRG mainly)", M4 Carbine SOPMOD Block II with Aimpoint and Trijicon sight scopes, FN FNC, and Colt M16A1 "(with 20-round Colt-manufactured magazines and M203 grenade launchers)".

PASKAL is also known to utilise specialised delivery craft - among others, PASKAL employs high speed inflatable/collapsible sub-skimmers (also known as UDV - Underwater Delivery Vehicle), for infiltrations into hostile areas.

The acquisition of two Scorpene submarines which are jointly being built by DCNS, France and Navantia, Spain ("KD Tunku Abdul Rahman" commissioning January 2009, "KD Tun Razak" commissioning October 2008) is expected to further add PASKAL's capabilities and range.

PASKAL Emblems and Badges

;Purple Coloured Beret:The purple beret reflects PASKAL's close relationship with the Indonesian Marine Corp.

;Camouflage:The PASKAL camouflage uniform is identical to that worn by US Navy SEALs. It also reflects the close relations with this US Special Forces unit from which PASKAL also receives training.

;Trimedia :The "Trimedia" is PASKAL's main emblem which is worn by every PASKAL trooper. The various components symbolises:
# Wing - the traditional symbol for para capability
# Jet Fin & Face Mask Emblem - symbolises seaborne infiltration capability
# Combat Dagger - symbolises jungle-warfare capability
# Anchor - the symbol for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN).

List of PASKAL Commanders

Famous PASKAL Members

* Admiral Dr. Haji Sutarji Kasmin (retired) — "first commanding officer of PASKAL, considered godfather of PASKALs"
* Rear Admiral Nasaruddin Othman — "second commanding officer of PASKAL, replacing Admiral Dr. Haji Sutarji Kasmin"
* Captain Jamaludin Mohd Saman RMN
* Commander Abd Malek Hj Mohd Daud RMN
* Commander Ahmad Ramli Kardi — "honored Ahli Mangku Negara, Ahli Mahkota Perak medal"
* Commander Anuar Alias — "honored Panglima Gagah Berani medal"
* Commander George Paul Thomas Rozario
* Commander Jason PASKAL
* Lieutenant Commander Che Adnan Mat Isa
* Master Chief Petty Officer Mohd Room Bahari
* Seaman Hairi Mat Balong
* PASKAL Senior Seaman Sukeri Abdullah (1994 - 1997)

Highlights/Top story

PASKAL in the media

* PASKAL was featured in TV3's Majalah 3 on 30 August 2003 in conjunction with Merdeka

* Lieutenant Commander (Kehormat), Ahmad Ramli Kardi - PASKAL senior personnel is a member of the free-fall skydiving team for the Malaysian North Pole free-fall skydiving expedition in 1998. [ [http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/archive.asp?y=2003&dt=0104&pub=utusan_malaysia&sec=tentera&pg=te_01.htm&arc=hive "PASKAL--Unit elit serba canggih"] Utusan Malaysia January 04, 2003]

* Lieutenant Commander Anuar, a PASKAL operator involved in the UN mission in Angola (UNIVEM II) 1998 received the "Pingat Gagah Berani" [ [http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/archive.asp?y=2002&dt=1102&pub=utusan_malaysia&sec=tentera&pg=te_01.htm&arc=hive "Lt Kdr Anuar hero TLDM"] Utusan Malaysia November 02, 2002]

Recent Operations

The unit has been deployed in the following operations:

ee also

* PASKAU

imilar Navy Special Forces Units Outside Malaysia

* Clearance Diving Team, Australia
* Destacamento de Acções Especiais, Portugal
* Escouade de Contre-Terrorisme et de Libération d'Otages, France
* Kampfschwimmer, Germany
* Komando Pasukan Katak - KOPASKA, Indonesia
* Marine Commando Force, India
* Marinejegerkommandoen, Norway
* Naval Diving Unit, Singapore
* Royal Thai Navy SEALs, Thailand
* Special Boat Service, United Kingdom
* Special Boat Squadron, Sri Lanka
* Special Service Group Navy, Pakistan
* Unidad de Operaciones Especiales, Spain
* US Navy SEALs, United States of America

References

External links

* [http://www.navy.mil.my/ Royal Malaysian Navy website]